Phillips says PH "born to host" FIBA World Cup

Screen capture from Youtube
By Ivan Saldajeno

TOKYO--Hollywood actor Lou Diamond Phillips believes the Philippine staging of the 2019 FIBA World Cup has been set since the creation of the world.

In his speech during the presentation of final bids for the hosting right of the said international tournament on Friday, the Fil-American star said, "This country is born to host the 2019 FIBA World Cup. And we’re ready. Now."

Philips added, "...the Philippines provides the perfect environment for this World Cup. Something that you can’t manufacture. It’s authentic. It’s very real and it’s like nowhere else."

The actor also noted the Philippines being the world's "social media capital" in helping the FIBA World Cup get online raves.

Philips continued, "...that love [for basketball] becomes essential to a nation that has embraced the power of social media like no other....millions of Filipinos around the world...will create the biggest basketball conversation on social media that anyone has ever seen."

The hashtag #Puso2019, the social media campaign for the Philippines' hosting bid, trended worldwide, peaking at second spot. It is also the top trending topic in the Philippines as of posting.